The two cities most symbolic of the “free world” are not very free right now. At the start of an historic week for the West, its two key capitals are under a state of emergency.
Both London and Washington DC have imposed this drastic step not because of a coordinated terror attack from foreign extremists or a sudden natural disaster. These capitals are in this state because the heads of the government in both nations have failed in their basic duty to protect their citizens.
This abject failure has arisen from the absolute incompetence and bloody-mindedness of two men who are not leaders and have proven unfit for public office despite winning popular support in democratic elections.
They could not have done it all themselves of course. The usual checks and balances of Western democracies have failed miserably as craven ministers and ideological government members enabled the buffoons at the top. They have been aided and abetted by dangerously partisan media companies like Fox and News Corp and weak social media companies like Twitter and Facebook.
In Washington DC what should have been a celebration of the end of the worst presidency in US history is instead a smaller, sombre affair. Incredibly, the raging pandemic killing thousands each day is not the biggest threat to the inauguration this week; it is the threat of armed violence and further insurrection.
Government buildings are closed as tens of thousands of National Guard troops are deployed. Their job: to ensure a peaceful transition of power in a city that more resembles a banana republic fearful of a military coup.
Across the Atlantic, the situation is only marginally better as London’s state of emergency is all about the pandemic. Thousands are dying each day there too as ambulances, now driven by firefighters drafted to help, are turned away from hospitals that are overflowing with COVID patients.
The city is in a belated lockdown after Mayor Sadiq Khan admitted the virus is now “out of control”. This came after months of cowardice and lies from the paralysed Conservative government.
Adding to the UK malaise is the debacle of Brexit, which finally happened at the end of the year and is already proving the Remainers right. Businesses are fuming as bureaucracy with Europe has only worsened and it is dawning on the nation that the much-heralded EU exit deal is another economic disaster.
But that’s for later, for those who can make it through the current health crisis.
Meanwhile, here in Australia our biggest worry is for how long a group of privileged professional tennis players will have to stay in their five-star hotels.
It’s a first-world problem compared with those of the emerging third-world capitals of London and Washington.
One city hosting a deluded, divisive and dangerous demagogue, devoid of decency and empathy but replete with ignorance and a lifelong sufferer of mythomania; whilst the other hosts a bumbling, buffoon who has jumped from failed career/ role to yet another opportunity to make a mess. Are we in anyway surprised, that they both fail the most basic governance test? No, we’re not.
But they both excel at that basic political skill of ‘cutting through’ with simplistic slogans – just like our own incompetents like Abbott and Morrison.
‘You forgot Norway’???
Ludicrous comment, completely unwarranted and reminiscent of so-called ‘fake news’. You imply that Norway’s government is responsible for the deaths, has lied egregiously about the number, and can be compared to the UK and USA in government incompetence. In fact, Norway’s cases and deaths per million are at positions 102nd and 106th in the world, respectively; extremely competent and fabulously better than the rest of Europe.
I said the deaths from the v-ccines in Norway were 30. The number reported in the MSM actually varies but the average reported figure is 30. And then I said that because of MSM understating when it suits, it maybe higher. I used a potential figure of 300 due to understating. Are you saying the MSM always tells the truth? If you believe that then it’s you who lies.
Deaths associated with the vaccine in Norway number about 30. Last I heard the causes were being investigated. No reason yet to make any assumptions. Listen to Dr Norman Swan for better information.
“Norway’s cases and deaths per million are at positions 102nd and 106th in the world, respectively;”
Tell that to the families of the people who have died from the v-ccine side effects in Norway. Your disdain for the elderly and frail is one thing, but your reliance on the fake-news, MSM cut n pasting for your comments speaks volumes.
The minute I read “fake news” or “MSM” I look for the tinfoil. The matter is under investigation and ALL vaccines suffer from people who react to them. Fortunately, they are in the vast minority. I agree with Mainwaring.
I hope you aren’t scientist because you are surely scanty on facts. If there is going to be a problem it will be with those who are elderly frail and unwell, because none of the vaccines have been tested on people in this situation in trials. Given the mortality of the elderly it is logical on balance to vaccinate them, and some of them were verry unwell already. The Norwegians have already asked doctors to reconsider giving the vaccine to people in this category and weigh the risks carefully.
And look no further than our own Capt Smirko. A southern hemisphere buffoon who was patted on the head by the world’s biggest buffoon.
Who is our Captain going to cuddle up to now? Putin perhaps.
Trump hasn’t been absolutely incompetent.
He’s delivered tax cuts to the rich, increased profits to rent serkers, reduced environmental protections and stacked the supreme court.
The USA has an illustrious historical record of court stacking..eerr,…i mean nominating..But from one with such a short term attention span, Trump has certainly been busy with over 200 that will have long term affects
Those things were done during his presidency, but the credit really elongs to the puppeteer pulling Trump’s strings, O’Connell.
McConnell. Mitch McConnell.
Of course. My mistake, sorry.
Three word slogan idiots. Get Brexit Done, Make America Great, Lock Her Up, Stop the Boats, Big New Tax. And every one of them utterly useless as leaders. It is completely unfair to single Johnson and Trump out though, they are the result of the absolutely worthless collection of corrupt, greedy double dealing scum that their parties have become. Our own coalition is becoming more like them every day, especially in NSW which is now the state of corruption in this country. Johnson’s head should be on traitor’s gate along with Rees-Mogg and his mates, not because of Brexit, but because they had no plan on how to do it. Farage should be with them for serving Russia’s designs.
Branches of the same tree dependent upon and/or guided by Koch linked radical right libertarian think tanks, white nationalism and/or Anglo exceptionalism, NewsCorp etc. and/or Crosby Textor style messaging and communications, while US has Christianity too and/or much to amuse punuters (though declining amongst the younger); backgrounded by sub-optimal morals and ethics for ‘whatever it takes’.
“NSW which is now the state of corruption in this country.” Now? It has always been thus. NSW runs entirely on corruption and chaos. The rum rebellion never ended.
There is that Dominic whatsisname (Cummins?) too. Some PM whisperer consultant to Boris and the British government. Unelected, unaccountable and very early advised Boris to “protect the economy, let the old people die, herd immunity crap.